All clubs appeal in Italian match-fixing trial

The appeals by Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio and AC Milan in the Italian match-fixing trial have begun in Rome, with the outcome due by July 25 - the deadline set by UEFA for the FIGC to submit its list of teams for next season's Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions.

The four clubs were found guilty of conspiring with referees to rig games during the 2004/05 season, and all have been stripped of their European places, given points penalties and, with the exception of Milan, were relegated to Serie B.

Juventus has consistently argued that former general manager, Luciano Moggi, was acting independently and without their knowledge. Juventus however knows that reinstated in Serie A is less optimistic, therefore focused on reducing the league points penalty.

Like Juventus, the other three clubs involved have also denied any wrongdoing and are appealing against what they say are the unjust sentences of the tribunal.

Fiorentina and Lazio have greater hopes of a reprieve from relegation. Milan, who are set to kick off the Serie A season with minus 15 points, have not given up all hope of playing in the Champions League.

Fiorentina owner Diego Della Valle said that he had come to "put things straight."

"We only hope these judges manage to see things clearly because we've done nothing wrong," he said.

Lazio lawyer Vittorio Siniscalchi attacked the tribunal's decision to admit the telephone intercepts as evidence, calling them "invasive" and "unreliable".

Should the appeals process remain unfinished on July 25, the FIGC said that Italy's list to UEFA would reflect the verdicts of the sports tribunal, and will include AS Roma, Chievo Verona and Palermo.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.